The Pittsburgh Press (May 3, 1941)
ARMY MAY SEND SKILLED MEN BACK TO WORK
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Draft law faces change to help speed up production
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Washington, May 3 (UP) –
Defense officials indicated today they might seek any changes in the Selective Service Act necessary to obtain sufficient skilled workers for President Roosevelt’s requested around-the-clock arms production schedule.
One change contemplated would permit the President to order blanket deferments of men working in vital defense industries.
The draft law now forbids blanket deferments by occupational groups, and defense officials are concerned over the fact that some draft boards have been taking men who would be more useful on the production line.
As the first move to carry out the President’s call for 24 hours a day, seven days a week production of planes, tanks and guns, OPM Director William S. Knudsen formulated an appeal to makers of machine tools for an “immediate” three-shift, seven-day week basis of operation. More machine tools are needed so munitions plants later can step up their own production.
Mr. Knudsen and Associate OPM Director Sidney Hillman will confer soon weith Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey of the Selective Service System in an “11th-hour” attempt to enlist the cooperation of draft boards in deferring needed craftsmen.
Spokesmen for Mr. Knudsen and Mr. Hillman said a key man on the assembly line is worth many men in uniform.
Warns of shortage
Gen. Hershey cautioned local boards of Feb. 21 to prevent “any unnecessary aggravation of existing shortages of necessary workers in defense activities.”
Subsequently, he requested deferments for seamen and asked the boards to reclassify students receiving training in “necessary occupations…”
Defense officials contended that despite this, some boards have continue to draft men with valuable industrial skills.
Another appeal by the Selective Service Administration was expected. Should it fall, defense officials indicated they would recommend a change to permit the President to order blanket deferments.
Army may release some
Mr. Roosevelt told his press conference yesterday that skilled workers already drafted might be returned to their industrial jobs.
Navy yards ultimately are expected to go on a 24-hour, seven-day basis. Most of them now operate around-the-clock for six days a week.
Bureau of Labor Statistics studies of the machine tool industry show that about 75% of the machines currently operate on a one-shift basis, five days a week, 20% on a two-shift basis and only 5% on a full 24-hour schedule.
Mr. Roosevelt said in a letter to Mr. Knudsen and Mr. Hillman that the new demands upon the machine tool industry were necessitated by the “critical” situation confronting the nation.
Speed emphasized
He emphasized the need of speed an anticipated ready cooperation from all concerned.
In making public the letter at his press conference, the President said he believed the new speedup operations could be conducted successfully within the framework of federal labor laws. In a step toward this objective, he asked the War Department for a fresh survey of the draft army for skilled workers.
He told Mr. Knudsen and Mr. Hillman to make a similar canvass among civilians and to ask craftsmen to transfer their skill to defense efforts. He said “no effort or justifiable expense” in the drive should be spared.
As the President spurred the nation on a new all-out production effort, Albert W. Hawkes, new president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, asked affiliated units to being business and labor leaders together to seek a moratorium on strikes.
Vinson Bill delayed
At the same time, Speaker Sam Rayburn said the House would not act next week on the Vinson Bill providing for a “cooling off” period before strikes are called on defense industries. Mr. Rayburn said no date had been set for its consideration.
In his letter to Mr. Knudsen and Mr. Hillman, the President asked that all useful machine tools and machines in the country be utilized where they are or transported to a site where they can be used. He said a survey made by Walter D. Fuller, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, might be useful. It showed that many small industrial plants with machines capable of absorbing two million man-hours daily, have not yet been brought into defense production.
The President said the industry already is utilizing as many of its machines and machine tools as possible to produce fighting planes, bombers, aircraft parts, tanks and other materials.
Bonuses proposed
Mr. Knudsen and Mr. Hillman recommended that defense industries pay bonuses to workers who voluntarily forego vacations this year.
They said:
Employees in plants manufacturing munitions or essential war materials should be paid as a bonus the equivalent amount of money they would receive during the customary vacation period.
They added that no workers should be denied a vacation who “for reasons of health” desire a rest. Vacations that are allowed should be staggered as much as possible through the period May 30 – Aug. 31.